I know that if Dell can do it Apple can to. Just finished reading a story about how Dell's stocks remained flat while Apple's have risen, but the fact remains that certain PC manufacturers are spitting out machines with much better specs than what Apple is giving us.

I won't change to Windows, and I am not trying to sound like one of those hardware whiners that want the latest and greatest to surf the web, but I wouldn't mind a few super updates to the MBP line.

How about 512MB GFX, built-in broadband, dual HDDs, BTO Blue-Ray and others. Things that working professionals and serious gamers could use. [How about better battery life for Zioxide] Santa Rosa didn't mean anything in the real world since they didn't come with anything else but a processor update.

If the hardware on the MBP's get updated sometime near or before January, then I hope I could get at least the Hitachi 200GB 7200rpm drive as a BTO.

I love Apple software, but I am getting slightly jealous of PC hardware.

How about 512MB GFX, built-in broadband, dual HDDs, BTO Blue-Ray and others. Things that working professionals and serious gamers could use. Santa Rosa didn't mean anything in the real world since they didn't come with anything else but a processor update.

PC manufacturers like big stats, but don't worry too much about real world practicalities like weight and size. For me the Mac wins for the following reasons - (1) It is light and thin, therefore portable. (If you can't lift the thing you may as well get a desktop.) (2) It looks good and has the best software. Apple are constantly balancing technology with not only looks but with utility - the iMac, for example, isn't just an all in one because it looks flash, it's because it saves a lot of wires and crawling around under tables too.

At the end of the day people choose what they want - Apple aren't going to sell computers that look awful and are impractical just to feature the fastest chips and best features (although it has to be said the hardware that Apple includes is by no means out of line with others).

Also look at the prices of the Dell machines. I calculate that you need an extra hundred pounds to get a similar processor as the Mac, Bluetooth, N-wireless, etc. - this money would get you a good external drive (mobile or otherwise).

Trust me I just sold my Dell 1710.
Very low battery life just a little over an hour surfing the net.
Too big to carry around.
The 1730 looks like crap.
They need better video drivers for it but Dell is to lazy to make them.

I do agree Mac needs better video thou. At least give us a chance in the gaming department or video.

Trust me I just sold my Dell 1710.
Very low battery life just a little over an hour surfing the net.
Too big to carry around.
The 1730 looks like crap.
They need better video drivers for it but Dell is to lazy to make them.

I do agree Mac needs better video thou. At least give us a chance in the gaming department or video.

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Yeah... PCs look like garbage no matter who is making them. The graphics and the guts is what kills me. I won't be switching over anytime soon but I know that there is a way for Apple and Intel to get another 2.5" HDD inside the case, or at least a sweet card and some higher end options.

PC manufacturers like big stats, but don't worry too much about real world practicalities like weight and size. For me the Mac wins for the following reasons - (1) It is light and thin, therefore portable. (If you can't lift the thing you may as well get a desktop.) (2) It looks good and has the best software. Apple are constantly balancing technology with not only looks but with utility - the iMac, for example, isn't just an all in one because it looks flash, it's because it saves a lot of wires and crawling around under tables too.

At the end of the day people choose what they want - Apple aren't going to sell computers that look awful and are impractical just to feature the fastest chips and best features (although it has to be said the hardware that Apple includes is by no means out of line with others).

Also look at the prices of the Dell machines. I calculate that you need an extra hundred pounds to get a similar processor as the Mac, Bluetooth, N-wireless, etc. - this money would get you a good external drive (mobile or otherwise).

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Agreed... but sometimes the hardware just makes you drool. I have never truly found myself needing that much more than what Apple has given us, but there are time when I wish I could have a system drive and a scratch drive in the same machine, or more GFX memory than I could ever want, or for the Windows PC lovers to shut up about how Apple's choice in cards suck yet they don't have a good card themselves in their budget machines.

Apple's offerings are well balanced, but there are times when there is that one or two things that you wish Apple gave a hoot about. For me there are three: GFX, built-in broadband, and dual HDD in the 17" model.

I just bought my folks some PC laptops, a lowend Compaq for my mom (she just needs it for email, internet etc) and a higher end Dell Vostro 15" for my dad. The compaq feels really uncomfortable in your lap with some protrusions on the bottom (I guess to keep it balanced on a desk), and both the Dell and Compaq feel like books when you're carrying them (as compared to a mac feeling like a pamphlet). I would love it if Apple could fit 2 HDDs in their next line of MBPs, that would save me from having to carry around a portable HD for video editing purposes.

Hardware is VERY overrated. unless you are a hardcore gamer the MBP specs look excellent. Guess what.. Im a Mild core gamer ad I have a Gaming PC that runs XP and Vista. I use my MBP for ALL OTHER computing needs. I really dont need the massive Vid card but lets be honest, it would be nice but unnecessary for apple to put this in a mac. Mac is not being marketed to the gaming crowd. This is Xbox360/PS3 vs Wii ..... and how is that battle going? Exactly.....

i believe they stack the 2.5" drives in XPS and Alienware systems, thus the 4" thickness

there is NO room inside the case of the MBP so i doubt they will even include space for two drives, unless they get really really small

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Yeah... I looked at the gallery for the Dell and that thing looks like a fat cow compared to the 17" MBP. There is an HP that has the drives lying side by side, but it gets up to 2" thick towards the back.

Hardware is VERY overrated. unless you are a hardcore gamer the MBP specs look excellent. Guess what.. Im a Mild core gamer ad I have a Gaming PC that runs XP and Vista. I use my MBP for ALL OTHER computing needs. I really dont need the massive Vid card but lets be honest, it would be nice but unnecessary for apple to put this in a mac. Mac is not being marketed to the gaming crowd. This is Xbox360/PS3 vs Wii ..... and how is that battle going? Exactly.....

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Hardware is overrated, Apple gets by with good software, but sometimes it's good to have a computer with good guts, at least good GFX card and processor.

They used to make the Alienware stuff and they are prone to overheating.

I have a 5670 and it was the non-green Area 51 a few years ago. Super fast when it works (my wife is in the other room playing some games on it as I type) but it gets so freaking hot that I've gone through two HDs and a stick of memory. It has been in the shop three times (luckily Clevo is a little over an hour away for me). Takes a week to fix. $150 average.

Just curious, how would an external eSata (2x WD Raptor) raid on your express/34 slot do. Running OSX from there.

Boot OSX from the external sata raid....forgot...eSata doesn't install the express34 card drivers till later. Does work with firewire800, it's only slower slightly in bursts compared to eSata.

Still it would mean a slightly bulky Galaxy Metal Gear 3500 box sitting next to the MBP.

Curious if this has been attempted....any threads on this?

The Dell is impressive, but I would miss OSX immediately...and using Vista or XP kinda defeats the purpose anyway.

My MBP is portable...my previous Dell 9300 was a 10lbs beast....my feet and back hurt, felt like a pregnant woman

One day I will have a 8 core Mac Pro and Leopard for the heavy duty work.

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Yeah, the big thing is the software. I can't live without OS X and Apple's Pro Apps. I can't live without iWork and iLife for the most part. I would need that no matter what. my next machine is going to be a 17" MBP for the day to day stuff, but I am considering a Mac Pro or decking out my G5 Tower for the heavy lifting.

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